Another Windows Update error code 80072F8F problem

Question

I'd greatly welcome and appreciate any help with diagnosing and resolving my problem with Windows Update [Error code 80072F8F appears within a couple of seconds of initiating "Check for updates"].

The problem started, on my Win7x64 SP1 desktop, within a day or two after installing (without issues) MS's November 2014 monthly collection of 20 updates.

Thus far, at various times since then I have:

1)  Run the Windows Update "automated troubleshooter" routine, which purported to fix a couple of Registry issues but had no effect on receiving the error message.

2)  Resynced my system clock (although it appeared to be correct to begin with).

3)  Run the MS Fixits 50123 and 50362 without success.

4)  Followed the lengthy instructions to manually reset the Windows Update components.

5)  Checked for malware using thorough scans by Norton and Malwarebytes.  I remember also doing a Rootkit scan back during my early investigations in December.

I have also tried to do a clean boot to see whether that would help me diagnose, but have been unsuccessful in my attempts.  That is probably an independent issue, but just in case it could be relevant, let me summarize it here.

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A possible digression:  Problem with trying to do a clean boot . When I open msconfig as Administrator, the system hangs when I specify to disable all non-MS services.  I can close the configuration program using Task Manager, but then the system is unresponsive when I try to launch new programs.  When I specify a system "Restart," it hangs indefinitely during "Logging out," and I need to disconnect the power lead manually to reboot.

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Since WU ceased to work, I've handled MS updates each month by a laborious manual visit to each relevant KB, MS14-xxx, or MS15-xxx website.  My "Update history" in WU no longer shows any entries prior to encountering this issue, but just the updates that I have made manually since then.

Here are my answers to some of the questions I've seen posed to others struggling with this problem:

1a. When (approx. date) did you purchase the computer? October 2011.

1b. Did Win7 64-bit come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it, did you do a clean install of Win7, or did you upgrade the computer to Win7? Preinstalled, if I remember correctly.

2a. What anti-virus & anti-spyware applications are currently installed?  Norton and Malwarebytes (free version).

4. Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [PICK ONE] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)  I believe a McAfee free trial may have been preinstalled, but if so, I "removed" it many years ago.
5. Is KB2976627, KB2976897, KB2918614, KB2978668, KB2937610, and/or KB2943357 listed in Installed Updates (notUpdate History)?  All are there.
6. Assuming Java is installed => Is Java Version 7 Update 65 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY! => http://java.com/en/download/uninstallapplet.jspV8, U40
7. Is Adobe Flash Player v14.0.0.176 (or higher) installed? TEST HERE USING INTERNET EXPLORER ONLY! => http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/V17.0.0.134

8a. Is Internet Explorer 9 (IE9), IE10 or IE11 installed?  IE11

8b. What Update Version & KB number are displayed in the second line of text in Internet Explorer's Help | About [Alt+H+A] tab; e.g., Update Version: XX.0.54 (KB1231231) ?  11.0.17 (KB3032359)

8c. Is Firefox, Chrome or any other alternate browser installed?  Both Firefox and Chrome.  Firefox has been my default browser for many years.  I rarely use IE, and it throws up lots of "This page can't be displayed" screens for many websites these days.

9. Have you ever had occasion to do a Repair Install and/or a clean install of Windows since you purchased the computer?  Not to my memory.
10. Are you in the habit of using "Registry cleaners" (e.g., Registry Mechanic; System Mechanic; RegCure; RegClean Pro; Advanced SystemCare; Registry Booster; McAfee QuickClean; Glary Utilities; AVG PC TuneUp; Norton Registry Cleaner; PCTools Optimiser; SpeedUpMyPC; PC Doctor; TuneUp Utilities; WinMaximizer; WinSweeper; Comodo System Cleaner; Advanced System Optimizer; CCleaner's Registry Cleaner component)?  Yes, I have been "in the habit" of using Auslogics Registry Cleaner, and occasionally CCleaner's Registry Cleaner, without any obvious problems for several years, long before this problem arose.  I also do so on my Win7x64 laptop, where I haven't had the same problem that has arisen with WU on my desktop computer.

Answer 1

Here's the link to my files (prepared in normal mode):

http://1drv.ms/1MLvS0R

I see that the logs do not go back as far as the start of the problem, which was a few days after the "Updates Tuesday" last November.

Answer 2

Please restart your computer, allow 30 minutes for the system to run before uploading further information so that the impact of making changes can become apparent.

Please provide a copy of your System Information file. Type System Information in the Search Box above the start Button and press the ENTER key (alternative is Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Information). Select File, Export and give the file a name noting where it is located. Do not place the cursor within the body of the report before exporting the file. The system creates a new System Information file each time system information is accessed. You need to allow a minute or two for the file to be fully populated before exporting a copy. Please upload the file to your OneDrive, share with everyone and post a link here. Reports in normal mode preferred. Please say if the report has been obtained in safe mode.

Please upload and share with everyone copies of your System and Application logs from your Event Viewer to your OneDrive and post a link here.

To access the System log select Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer, from the list in the left side of the window expand Windows Logs and select System. Place the cursor on System, select Action from the Menu and Save All Events as (the default evtx file type) and give the file a name. Do the same for the Applications log. Do not provide filtered files. Do not place the cursor in the list of reports before selecting Action from the menu. Do not clear logs whilst you have a continuing problem.

For help with OneDrive see paragraph 9.3:

http://www.gerryscomputertips.co.uk/MicrosoftCommunity1.htm

General notes on Event Viewer

http://www.gerryscomputertips.co.uk/syserrors5.htm

Answer 3

Many thanks for the two suggestions.

I did do another manual resync of my system clock.  I had problems connecting to the server that my system had been using (time-nw.nist.gov), but I updated instead from the time.nist.gov server, and then rebooted.  However, no joy with the WU problem.

I also ran the System File Checker routine, resulting in a Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violationsresponse.

Answer 4

Click time and date (bottom right of desktop), Change date and time settings, Internet Time tab, Change settings button,  Update now button, and OK.

This works for some with that error code but not all.

Answer 5

Hello Thorgils,

Thank you for providing a detailed information on your issue. I appreciate the step-by-step troubleshooting and the pains you took to resolve your issue. However, there are a few more steps that we can try to diagnose the root cause of the issue permanently.

Regarding the error code 80072f8f while installing Windows Updates, it means “ERROR_INTERNET_DECODING_FAILED” which caused by the Internet Time could not be synchronized with global Update Server. The valid date and time are on the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate that the Windows Update website uses. In this scenario, the Windows Update scan operation is unable to scan the computer for updates successfully.

Click the “Start” button, type “Date and Time” in the Search bar, and then click “Date and Time” in the Programs list.

In the “Date and Time Settings” dialog box, please perform the following task and see if it helps:

1. Check the time and date on system:
2. In the “Date and Time” dialog box, click “Change date and time”, configure the correct date and time and click OK.
3. Ensure the Time zone setting is correct.
4. Configure Internet Time Setting:
5. Switch to the “Internet Time” tab and then click Change settings.
6. Select the check box next to “Synchronize with an Internet time server”, select the time server “time.windows.com”, and then click "Update now".
7. Then Click OK to apply the settings.

For more clarification you can refer to the thread mentioned below which deals with the same issue and concern.

**Windows 7 Windows Update Error 80072f8f**

If issue persists, I would suggest you to check the system files are they working fine or not and to check that try to run System File Checker (SFC) tool.

SFC scan will scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7

1. Go to Start, click All Programs and open Accessories.
2. Right click on Command Prompt in the Program list and then select Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click OK.
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

sfc /scannow

For more information refer to this link:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833/en-us

Hope this would help. If issue still persists, post back with current status of your computer and result of proposed suggestions, we will be happy to assist you.

Regards,